Can I mix RAM brands/types?

JohnJSal

JohnJSal

Active Member
Hi all. I currently have 8 GB RAM, and I'm thinking of adding 8 more, assuming I have the extra slot. I need to check that (any ideas how, short of physically opening the case?).

At any rate, I was just wondering if it's okay to buy a new, probably different branded, stick of RAM and insert it with the existing one. Does it matter if they are different?

Thanks!
 
Some motherboards can be picky about mixing sticks of ram. Usually you just want to get another stick with the same speed and timings but it's not a given that it work. All you can do is try. As far as knowing if you have another slot, you could download cpuz and it will tell you, just have to click on memory or spd tab and check to see what slots are available. Sorry but not at home right now so can't post screenshot of it.
 
Agreed, you should always keep the same brand/configuration to ensure the most compatibility.

If you are referring to your machine in your signature, here is the info:
  1. 4 x 1.5V DDR3 DIMM sockets supporting up to 32 GB of system memory
    * Due to Windows 32-bit operating system limitation, when more than 4 GB of physical memory is installed, the actual memory size displayed will be less than 4 GB.
  2. Dual-channel memory architecture
  3. Support for DDR3 2800(OC)/1600/1333/1066 MHz memory modules
  4. Support for non-ECC memory modules
  5. Support for Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) memory modules
So you should have 2 slots available.

Here is a link to the support documents that have the Memory Support List. https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-Z77X-UD5H-rev-10/support#support-doc

Note: This list shows what they have tested and confirmed to be compatible. Other brands may work, just not verified.

Having said that, it seems this is an older machine... perhaps go to the max with 4x 8GB sticks? Depending if the cost is worth it.
 
Thanks so much!

Just one question, which is probably stupid and possibly something I knew at one point, when I was building my PC and knew all this stuff! But how do you know from that information that I have two slots remaining? Is it because you have to use two slots at a time, so I can't have just a single 8 GB stick?
 
JohnJSal said:
Thanks so much!

Just one question, which is probably stupid and possibly something I knew at one point, when I was building my PC and knew all this stuff! But how do you know from that information that I have two slots remaining? Is it because you have to use two slots at a time, so I can't have just a single 8 GB stick?
Click to expand...
I mean your sig does specify two RAM sticks on a four slot motherboard..
 
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